Hairpin



May 7, 1957 H. F. KURZ 2,791,226

HAIRPIN Filed Jan. 10, 1955 V f Harry E Kurz INVENTOR.

BY WWW E Ina United States Patent Ofice 2,791,226 Patented May 7, 1957 HAIRPIN Harry F. Kurz, Beverly Hills, Califi, assignor of twentyfive percent to Edward Hillman, In, Beverly Hills, Calif., and twenty-five percent to Irving C. Stone, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application January 10, 1955, Serial No. 480,816

1 Claim. (Cl. 132--50) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in hairpins of the bobby type and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a hairpin of this character which may be expeditiously opened with one hand without danger of injuring the fingers or damaging the nails.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a hairpin of the aforementioned character Which will be comparatively simple in construction, durable, light in weight, inconspicuous and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a hairpin embodying the present invention being held in a position to be opened;

Figure 2 is a perspective view substantially similar to Figure 1 but showing the hairpin after it has been opened;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the hairpin, showing the tips in longitudinal section;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another form of the invention;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of the modification; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view, showing the modification after it has been opened.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and to Figures 1, 2 and 3 thereof in particular, it will be seen that reference character 7 designates generally a substantially U- shaped hairpin of suitable flat, resilient metal. The hairpin 7 includes a pair of spaced legs 8 and 9 connected at one end by an integral, substantially C-shaped loop or bight portion 10. The free end portions of the legs 8 and 9 are dipped to provide protective tips 11 of suitable material. Then, the leg 8 further comprises a corrugated or undulated portion 12. At an intermediate point, the legs '8 and 9 are provided with inwardly pressed, opposed humps constituting abutting fulcrums 13.

It is thought that the manner in which the hairpin is used will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the resilient hairpin 7 is normally closed, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawing. To open the device with one hand, the legs 8 and 9 are held between the thumb and the index finger at a point between the loop 10 and the fulcrums 13. The legs 8 and 9 are then flexed or bowed inwardly for spreading or opening the free end portions thereof, said legs swinging on the fulcrums 13. Of course, when the pressure is removed, the hairpin immediately closes.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawing, reference character 14 designates generally a substantially Ushaped hairpin of suitable flat, resilient metal comprising opposed legs 15 and 16 connected at one end by a loop or bight portion 17. The legs 15 and 16 terminate in curved free end portions 18. Then, at an intermediate point, the legs 15 and 16 are provided with opposed, inwardly bent humps constituting abutting fulcrums 19. In other respects, this form of the invention is substantially similar in construction and operation to the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing.

It is believed that the many advantages of a hairpin constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although preferred embodiments of the article are as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A substantially U-shaped, resilient hairpin of the character described comprising: a pair of spaced, opposed legs and a substantially C-shaped connecting loop at one end of said legs, and protective tips on the free end portions of the legs, said legs including opposed inwardly bent, U- shaped rockably engaged fulcrurns at an intermediate point, one of said legs further including an undulated portion between its respective fulcrum and protective tip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,574 Hall Nov. 11, 1952 994,917 Frederiksen June 13, 1911 1,245,936 Loveland Nov. 6, 1917 1,527,682 Hoifmann et al. Feb. 24, 1925 2,699,790 Porteous Jan. 18, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 464,876 France Jan. 23, 1914 596,294 France Aug. 8, 1925 684,355 France Mar. 17, 1930 

